LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We need to carefully guard against losing – the wonders of our own culture – since we never know when – we might be adding to the storehouse in another’s life!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It takes very little time – living among brothers – and – sisters – of different cultures – to realize that our own culture – does not have a monopoly – of all the good things in the world!! ----- When we allow – our lives to be enriched – and – refined – by the cultural offerings of other nations – we will undoubtedly see ourselves – shining a bit more brightly!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If lying had a lingering unpleasant odor – we might be more careful – with our words!! ----- If unkindness – had a lingering unpleasant odor – we might be more careful – how we treat one another!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is little doubt – that the biggest roadblock – which keeps us from hearing the whisperings of the Holy Spirit – is the sin of pride – which keeps us from almost all blessings!! ----- We are indeed fortunate – if we diminish those influences from our lives – which will keep us from hearing – the still small voice of the Holy Spirit!!

FAVORED OF THE LORD

It only happened to me once in all the formal education classes I took between the ages of 6 and 38 which is probably the reason I can still recall the incident these many years later.

During my freshman year at Garden Grove Union High School one of the classes I took was Beginning Algebra. (Yes, I know this is now taken much earlier in 21st century curricula, but during the happy days it was not taught until the freshman year of High School.) Anyway, after a pop quiz one morning the girl I was sitting next to complained to our teacher Pop Eidelson (yes I see the irony of a pop quiz administered by a teacher named Pop) that I must have copied her paper since I had the right answers, but hadn’t shown the procedures which led to the answers. Pop gently explained to her, that all brains do not work the same and that I had one that could see the answers without writing down all the procedures. He then gently explained to me that in the future it would be a good thing if I wrote down all the steps leading to the correct answer. She was then adamant that she should have a higher grade since she had obeyed the rule to show all the work. And thus, even though I felt and knew Pop liked me very much, my grade was changed to reflect the lack of work shown. Bless her little strawberry picking heart!

In the 35th verse of chapter 17 of First Nephi we read a statement which seems to contradict itself – the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one – he that is righteous is favored of the Lord. I remember having a rather lengthy discussion with a student one year while teaching the Book of Mormon about this scripture. She was absolutely convinced that if we were obedient to God’s commandments he surely loved us more. Just as the girl sitting next to me in my Beginning Algebra class was convinced she should receive a higher grade because she had been obedient to the rule of always showing all the procedures.

The easiest and probably the best answer to these seemingly contradictive statements is that although Heavenly Father loves all his children equally, the law which governs that consequences will follow choices, demands that He favors us in different ways.

With the abundance of scriptural verses which support the idea that if we honor God he will Honor us and visa-versa, it is not difficult to see why someone would come to the conclusion that indeed the obedient are loved more than the disobedient, but there are an equally abundant number of verses supporting the unconditional and universal love that Heavenly Father and His son Jesus the Christ have for all of those who dwell on the earth.

This is one of those dilemma which when pondered sufficiently seems to add other Omni’s to all the Omni’s of Godliness, those being Omni-obedient and Omni-loving.

And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. (1 Nephi: 17: 3)

AND

Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes

He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool. And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt. (1 Nephi 17: 36-40)

My premise would have been more easily made if Nephi had continued to use the word favored rather than loved, but, nevertheless, the connection between the choices we make and the corresponding consequences which result from them is a law which must be kept and regarded as sacred by an Omni-loving God who must also remain Omni-obedient.

A search of the scriptures wherein the words blessed or cursed are used will quickly makes it apparent that whichever consequence befalls us it is because of obedience or disobedience to the law which governs the choices we are making and not because of whether we are esteemed unequally by the Lord

It is interesting that these concepts were taught by Nephi because many in the family of Lehi doubted whether the Lord had commanded him to build a ship and even greater was their doubt that he would actually be able to build such a vessel capable of crossing the many waters.

To which Nephi responded: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. (1Nephi 17:50)

Throughout my Beginning Algebra class and continuing during my Advanced Algebra class I never took another Pop quiz where I wasn’t marked down if all the work were not shown, but I was never treated with anything but gentleness and kindness from Mr. Eidelson and I knew he liked the girl who sat next to me equally.

I never was given the vision of what Pop Eidelson saw in me, but I have suspected he saw what I was not capable of seeing at that time, and therefore would have not been surprised as the opportunities which unfolded in my life presented themselves. I also know there were many peers and teachers during those years at Garden Grove Union High School, who would have not only doubted I would have those opportunities, but would have had extreme doubts about my being able to bring about successful conclusions to those opportunities.
Of this truth I am convinced:

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated – and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (Doctrines and Covenants 130: 20, 21)

Likewise I am convinced:

God is Omni-loving, For God is love. (1 John 4:8)


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We all need to be careful – in all our busy-ness – we don’t become so overscheduled – that the Holy Spirit – cannot find moments for His whisperings!! ----- We can become so overwhelmed – by our concentration on our stuff – that we leave little time – to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are moments in our lives – when we allow the whispers of the Holy Spirit – to be drowned out – by the drone of our own prejudices!! ----- There are times in our lives – when we become so impressed – with our own brilliance – that we override – the whisperings of the Holy Spirit!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is not the bounty of our blessings – nor – the severity of our afflictions – which are a measure of our faithfulness – but - the depth of our testimony of – The Father – and – His Son!! ----- It is the depth of our testimony of – The Father – and – His Son – which will help us remain faithful – whether the trials we are passing through – are of bounty – or – poverty!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When we venture into the space – our neighbor occupies – we should all remember – we are entering onto Holy Ground!! ----- We should all be – putting our efforts into making our own place – as weed free as possible – so that He – who only treads on Holy Ground – will feel at home!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Since it is probably impossible to measure the degree of our own charity – or – the pure love of Christ – why would we ever venture – into trying to measure the level of charity – or – the pure love of Christ – of our neighbor?? ----- Since it is probably impossible to measure the degree we fulfill our own stewardships – why would we ever venture – into trying to measure the level which our neighbors – fulfill their stewardships??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Since it is probably impossible to measure the degree of our own faith – why would we ever venture – into trying to measure the level of faith – of our neighbor?? ----- Since it is probably impossible to measure the degree of our own righteousness – why would we ever venture – into trying to measure the level of righteousness – of our neighbor??

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD

While participating in one of my favorite out of the house leisure experiences, that being observing, wondering about and pondering concerning people, I have also taken ample time to think about my own beliefs and actions concerning the billions who have dwelt on this planet at one time or another and their relationship to me.

Spiritually it has always been easy for me to believe in the doctrine which Nephi mentions in the following words.

Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. (1 Nephi 17:36)

During my life I have sung about being a child of God, I have had Apostles and Prophets teach me that all who possess this earth are spirit off spring of the same Eternal Parentage and I have had the Holy Spirit bear witness to me that all who have inhabited this earth are universally brothers and sisters.

YET:

I yield myself to those actions which contribute to the dysfunctionality of our universal family.

I find myself being confused between the realities of being blessed because of the consequences of righteous choices and coming to the conclusion that I am better than a universal sibling.

I am too quick to judge all that I do and think to be right while questioning the thoughts and actions of my universal brothers and sisters.

I am prone to view some with undo skepticism while putting unmerited trust in others because of group alliances.

I have to censor myself at times when I yield to the tendency to make generalizations about a group of brothers and sisters based on the actions of one person from that group.

I sadly feel joy when a child from my group gains prominence over someone from another group, when in reality I should be empathetic about the feelings stemming from the failure of a sibling.

I am sure with just a little bit of thought I could extend this list of how my thoughts and actions fail to meet the level of the belief I have that we are all of the Eternal Family of Heavenly Parents, but I will leave the list at this point and leave it to the readers of these Thoughts to add their own ideas of where and when this gap might exist in their lives.

Although the day has come in Kathleen’s and my mortal journey when travel has become a burden rather than a pleasure, I am grateful that we have been able to travel broadly during our lives, a blessing which has made it possible to get to know at least a few of our universal family from many different groups scattered about our sphere.

These journeys were always too brief and relationships with these far flung members of our eternal family were few and quick, but we were able to broaden the scope of understanding the same-nesses we share with people of other cultures.

I am well aware that I understand and have feelings for those in the western part of the United States of America on a stronger and on a different level than those short glimpses of people from cultures in other parts of the world, but I am also appreciative that my belief in all mankind being Spirit Children of our Heavenly Parentage has been strengthened because of these short sojourns.

Although there are only two places outside of the western part of the United States of America which I have enjoyed an extensive stay: one being Mexico, where I served as a missionary for more than two years and the other being Colombia, where Kathleen and I served as missionaries for three years, I am grateful I was able to come to the reality that if someone is able to spend sufficient time in the company of brothers and sisters of other cultures it will be very easy to view them as part of their eternal family.

I know I still have a long way to go, but my heart’s desire is that my journey of coming to know and love my dispersed family will continue until it is universal and this doctrine becomes We are Children of God.

Although there are many reasons why I count the privilege of being authorized to use the Sealing Keys possessed by the Living Prophet of the Lord as a great blessing, my involvement in this calling has amplified one blessing for which I am particularly grateful. It is that the expanded perspective of the relationships of those who have, do and will possess this earth has become lateral rather than vertical.

Rather than being overwhelmed with endless genealogy which might or might not include beggars, thieves, priests or kings. My vision now sees every person receiving every ordinance as a brother or sister and my family increasingly becomes more universal.

As a reminder from the Apostle John:

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1 John 4: 7-11, 16-21)

I am grateful for the understanding and testimony I have that before we were blessed with the sun shining upon us in this mortal stage of our eternal existence we mingled together as a universal family of Spirit Children of our Eternal Parents.

I am grateful for the understanding and testimony I have that one of the most important principles of the gospel we need to make our own during our mortal span is teaching our physical minds and bodies about the universal kinship we share with those who possess this earth and how to righteously love and sustain them.

I am grateful for the understanding and testimony I have that, in our post mortal stage of existence we will have ample time to once again return to having the universal love and sustaining relationships with all of Heavenly Father’s children and we will then have the absolute assurance of their being our brothers and sisters.

I am grateful for the understanding and testimony I have that every step I take in accepting and demonstrating love for all of Heavenly Fathers Children increases the joy of the journey.


WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD!

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We should rejoice knowing – just as the Creator – beautified the world – by planting an unlimited variety of vegetation – likewise – the differences which exist among His children – is undoubtedly part of His grand plan – to make the world a place of beauty!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The only sure way – to receive correct understanding of a scripture – and – come to universal agreement – if for each individual to receive their interpretation – from the Holy Spirit!! ----- We should count it as a great achievement – if during our lives – we were able to live – just one commandment – perfectly!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The words – I love – may have the widest variety of meanings – of anY phrase that is uttered!! ----- Because of the vast differences – which exist among humans – it should cause us to wonder – exactly what is the standard of equality – we are attempting to achieve??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If we were allowed glimpses – into the understanding – of our brothers – or – sisters – we would probably be over whelmed – with the variety of views – we all have – about life’s purposes!! ----- There may be no ideas – which have greater differences – than those understandings – we claim to have in common!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Since we are all stepping on different stones – along the pathway of life’s journey – it makes it easy to understand – why we have such a universal tendency – to interpret the word of the Lord – differently!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

A sure way to diminish the number – number who attend your funeral – is to outlive your friends – and – family!! ----- The scriptural admonition – that no passage is for individual interpretation – may be the least obeyed – of all the gospel principles – we have been given!!

OH, BY THE WAY – MOMENTS

6 And it came to pass that on the morrow, after we had prepared all things, much fruits and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord had commanded us, we did go down into the ship, with all our loading and our seeds, and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, every one according to his age; wherefore, we did all go down into the ship, with our wives and our children.

7 And now, my father had begat two sons in the wilderness; the elder was called Jacob and the younger Joseph.

As I was reading in the 18th chapter of First Nephi, looking for something to stimulate me on what to write about for this week’s Thought for a Sabbath Day, I was struck by how these two verses, which contain a casual mention that there had been many children born into the families as they traveled and lived in the wilderness. Including two more sons which had been begotten by father Lehi, who were entered into the record almost as an ‘oh, by the way’ afterthought. He does off handedly mention that there were wives involved, except in the case of Lehi’s begetting.

Kathleen and I have had various discussions about how the scriptures might have contained very different versions of the historical accounts found therein if the authors had been women rather than men. It isn’t that women are always given bad press in the scriptures, it is that most of the time women are hardly given any press at all. I haven’t done one of those counts to identify the good women verses the bad women mentioned in the scriptures, but I have a suspicion there are just as many Jezebels mentioned as there are Ruths.

We have to give Nephi credit that he at least entered a few ‘oh, but the way’ verses in his record keeping, which is more than is often found in historical accounts.

I offer the following as an example of the view of how I, along with most men, seem to have a tremendously misconstrued idea of life’s realities.

I grew, was educated
And as the scripture says
I waxed strong in the ways of my father
And oh, by the way
I had a mother

I got married, had children
And as the scripture says
I became a provider following the example my father
And oh, by the way
Kathleen was her name

I became a teacher
And as the scripture says
Of the good word which I had been taught by my father
And oh, by the way
Kathleen nurtured the children

I served in His Kingdom
And as the scripture says
I attempted to follow His example as my father had done
And oh, by the way
Kathleen was by my side

I wish I could say the account related in these stanzas was totally without merit, but the truth is that sadly it bares record of the self-sightedness of much of the male population.

A more truthful historical account would probably go something like the following.

I grew, was educated
And as the scriptures should say
I waxed strong as my mother nurtured, encouraged and comforted me
And oh, by the way
My father was at work

I got married, Kathleen bore six children
And as the scriptures should say
The children became wonderful adults as she nurtured, encouraged and comforted them
And oh, by the way
I was at work

The children had many wonderful experiences
And as the scriptures should say
Because of Kathleen’s ironing, babysitting and office management toils
And oh, by the way
I was playing table tennis

She served in His Kingdom
And as the scriptures should say
Many of our Heavenly Parent’s children are closer to Them because of her discipleship
And oh, by the way
I was engaged in the busyness of church work

My prayer is that I have sufficiently exaggerated the point during this Thought, that we of the male gender will be more conscious of the reality of the existence of women and the contributions they constantly make in all of our lives and that they will never become an ‘oh by the way’ part of our histories.

There is an obvious oneness which should exist on earth and will exist in the eternities between male and female which can only be obtained when each half of the whole expresses the total necessity and importance of their other half and never allow them to become an ‘oh by the way’ part of our joint existence.

And Kathleen and William waxed old, comforted one another and entered eternity hand in hand.



THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times in our lives – when the correct way to do things – and – the convenient way to do things – seem to collide!! ----- If everything we needed to accomplish in life – were outlined for us – and – the tasks were all easy – our growth would undoubtedly be negatively affected!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When someone finds fault – with our best effort – we need to remember – they would probably find fault – if our effort – had a perfect result!! ----- One of the interesting things – about writing a personal history – is the realization that someone else – will undoubtedly have the final word!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Something which also makes us wonder – if I were to stop being offensive – would I discover – there are fewer people being offended!! ----- We need to be especially careful – when relating to those around us – because the giving – and – taking of offense – tend to increase – with the closeness of relationships!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We may never know – whether the giving – or – the taking of offense – is the most common!! ----- We can only guess – whether the giving – or – the taking of offense – is the most damaging!! ----- It makes us wonder – if I were to stop being offended – would I discover – there are fewer people being offensive!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The joy – or – sadness – as we pass through the stages of life – seldom reach either – the highs – or – the lows we anticipated!! ----- We will always fall short – of achieving perfection – but – we never need – to fall short – of giving our best effort!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We will have a much better chance – of our words being of eternal worth – if their source – is from the heaven’s fountain!! ----- The understanding – and – the meaning – of covenants – and – promises – may have as much variety – as the total number – of our Heavenly Father’s children!!

CELESTIAL GPS

We live in a very remarkable age. If I want to find out how far I am standing from the pin on the green while golfing, I just look at an app on my cell phone. If I want to be directed around any possible delays on a trip, I just look at an app on my cell phone. If I want to know where the nearest food market is, I just look at an app on my cell phone. If I want to know what the weather is going to be, I just look at an app on my cell phone.

I won’t belabor the point by going through all 492 zillion apps (just a guess) which can be accessed by a cell phone, because that is not the point about our time on earth which I find remarkable. The point I find remarkable is that all of these devices which were developed by the intelligence of mortals, we accept and have faith that they will work as advertised. But, when it comes to reading about a ball of curious workmanship which Lehi found outside of his tent one morning while dwelling in the desert, we scoff about whether Heavenly Father, with all Eternal and Everlasting Knowledge could have created an instrument which gave direction, led Lehi’s family to fertile areas, gave counsel on how to live and instructions on correctness of behavior.

I can hear all my grandchildren sighing wondering how, pick a title (abuelo/grandpa), could possibly compare something we can feel, punch and speak to, with something we can only believe exists by faith. Well it is because this abuelo/grandpa can only go on faith that I can know the distance to the pin, avoid traffic jams, find a restaurant or do anything other than make phone calls on my smart phone. In fact I usually refer to it as my dumb phone. However, it is nice to have my loved one’s phone numbers handy,

Just as a smart phone is useful only to the extent of the understanding of the person who holds it in their palm, the Liahona (the name by which the ball of curious workmanship was known) was only useful to the degree that those who held it understood how to unlock its wonders.

Nephi proclaims the keys to having the power to operate the Liahona were small and simple means which he tells us are faith and diligence in heeding the instructions written on the ball. My grandchildren tell me it is a small and simple thing to open the wonders of the apps on my cell phone, but I find I have neither the desire, patience nor fortitude to pay the price necessary to unlock this wonder of technology. Besides, I have become very content with my desk bound personal computer, which provides just about all the wonderment I can handle at this stage of my life.

I suspect those who find it difficult to believe that the Omniscient God could have provided Lehi with such a marvelous instrument long before the mortal genius of men developed such a thing, struggle in much the same way I do in adding apps to my phone. I suspect they lack the desire and patience and are unwilling to pay the price to know for themselves, from the whisperings of the Holy Spirit that the Liahona preceded the advent of the smart phone by some 2600 years.

Although I have never found a ball of curious workmanship which could provide me with guidance that I can hold and see, I am grateful that I have been gifted with the whisperings of the Holy Spirit which like the Liahona, gives me courage to do that which I have never previously done. In fact I don’t think I could identify a phase or experience of life which didn’t have a first time, unknown aspect to it.

During my teenage years, when admittedly was a period in which I suffered both mental and spiritual dullness, every morning I seemed to awaken to new challenges. I can only wonder how much easier the way would have been if I had been more susceptible to the whispering of the Holy Spirit.

When I was serving on active duty in the Army, I was constantly in dire need of direction on how to maneuver through territory which was both new and contrary to my nature. I need only to go into my memory banks to bring back grateful remembrances of those periodic moments when I was blessed with the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

While serving my mission among my Mexican brothers and sisters, when any success in fulfilling my calling was totally dependent on my close association with the Holy Spirt, sadly I wish I had been more constant in seeking this blessing.

Marriage and having the stewardship of raising children was a time when I regretfully allowed the cares of the world to distract me from the dedication which should have accompanied this one eternal calling we have on earth and I can only mourn that I was not more diligent in listening to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

The stewardships in the Church which I have had the opportunity and privilege to hold will forever be counted among my most cherished blessings, because it was while working in the Lord’s vineyard that I finally yielded my soul to the necessity for and the constancy of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In my final and perhaps most peaceful phase of mortality, I am grateful for the path my feet have been placed upon, which now allows my days to be filled with the comfort of the companionship of the Holy Spirit.

I would pray that a portion of this Sabbath Day might be spent pondering upon how we can increase our humility, desire and patience in order to unlock the personal Liahona our Father in Heaven has promised to all of His children who diligently seek it.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Another way of understanding – the meaning of eternity – might be thinking about – the length of time – it will take for everyone – to appreciate the value of each other’s words!! ----- It might be the reason – other’s don’t find our words – to be droplets of gold – or – pearls of great price – is because – they just might not be!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There seems to be a law – the more pain involved – the more dynamic the level of learning!! ----- When I have an illness – I try to find a doctor who specializes in that infirmity! – Therefore – when my soul is aching – shouldn’t I try to find an expert – who knows how to fix souls??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If I always speak truth – as I understand it to be – I should never feel ashamed – of the words which leave my mouth!! ----- In the Eternal Plan of Happiness – there will ultimately be an answer – to the trials – and – sufferings – we all undergo!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Since the Father of us all – confounded our languages – why would we be surprised – when His scattered children – refer to the Universal One – by different names?? ----- It is almost amusing – that the one thing the inhabitants of the earth – generally agree on – is that – none of the inhabitants of the earth – are perfect!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If you ever find yourself wondering – about what an appropriate reaction should be – just be kind – and – you will never go wrong!! ----- Making a judgement – about the sincerity – of another’s beliefs – may be one of the most – irreligious – things we can do!!